Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1

Well that was a worthwhile trip, great to get off to a winning start particularly against a team that gave us a right stuffing last year and even if they were missing a few regulars Tipp still have a decent squad and will take points off teams in this division. Defencive work and tackling were good today, the work rate is what we would expect, at times the shot selection in front of goal was wayward and we let several scores go a begging in the first half, a few misplaced passes caused me to raise my voice a few times but when the game needed to be won the lads stood up well, Lavin was fantastic as was our defence overall and Reilly and O'Sullivan made telling impacts, but overall a great squad effort, now to next weekend and a game we should approach with a can do attitude. Clare gave Donegal their fill of it today, no reason why we can't do the same and better.

Replying To thelutch: "delighted with the result Glasgow, this is a big result mentally, when tipp got to within a point we kicked again and actually won comfortably, the last few seasons this was a game we could have left behind so i'm delighted with that.To have biggy and o Sullivan as impact players is encouraging and they made us stronger in the last quarter. hopefully we can keep these performances consistent throughout the campaign"

Was only yanking your chain fella! I was as nervous as the next man, despite being broadly a glass half full type of fan. Can't forget we had a good few debutants too so it was a good solid start.

Too true. Actually even when they came to within a point, biggy and cos coming on really added the extra push. Was told Reilly is actually carrying a injury, so fair play to him for sticking with it. But it gave the team the boost that was needed at the time. We have been missing big name players coming on as subs for too long.

Replying To Richieq: "Well that was a worthwhile trip, great to get off to a winning start particularly against a team that gave us a right stuffing last year and even if they were missing a few regulars Tipp still have a decent squad and will take points off teams in this division. Defencive work and tackling were good today, the work rate is what we would expect, at times the shot selection in front of goal was wayward and we let several scores go a begging in the first half, a few misplaced passes caused me to raise my voice a few times but when the game needed to be won the lads stood up well, Lavin was fantastic as was our defence overall and Reilly and O'Sullivan made telling impacts, but overall a great squad effort, now to next weekend and a game we should approach with a can do attitude. Clare gave Donegal their fill of it today, no reason why we can't do the same and better."

Yeah can't disagree with that. A few wayward passes a few nervy shots on goal. Look it's 2 points, left navan a happy man even if I'm just getting feeling back into toes

Great result a lot to work on. The most encouraging think for me was that biggy COS and mc mahon didn't not start. They would have stared last year its time to give others a chance and theses are a great option of the bench. Lavin was excellent ronan ryan did well in his role as sweeper. Kane grew into the game and had a good last 15. No issues with or goal keeper he did well. Champion did well early on. Final keoghan was good as per usual some excellent runs. We where cut open a few times which was a negitve. But over all our defence is could enough. A good few decsions did not go our way but we kept pulling away. Tipp tried to rough us up in the second half but they ended up with a red and black we didint get involved. Good start.

Replying To Crinigan: "Good shout on Lynch who definitely should be given a go as gk (as should the Blackhall gk).

Mattimoe is talented no doubt but how is his temperment? The others from Ballinlough I disagree that they should be on the panel. Scully from Oldcastle maybe but he's not a glaring omission like for example Larkin or McCarthy ( who presumably have turned down the chance)...

Generally I think McEntee has cast the net pretty wide and has the best available involved."

Why is it only lads from North Meath that seem to care what part of the county players on the Meath panel are from. Some of them have a massive chip on their shoulder. For as long as I can remember there's been lads on here from North Meath moaning about players from North Meath not getting a chance. Change the record lads.

Ok , was I the only one who thought that the penalty decision was crazy? In no way was ball touched on ground, and there was no foul in my eyes committed beforehand either. Now it didn't matter in end, but for me it wasn't a penalty. Maybe I missed something.

Replying To royaldunne: "Yeah can't disagree with that. A few wayward passes a few nervy shots on goal. Look it's 2 points, left navan a happy man even if I'm just getting feeling back into toes"

Yes the wind going through the stand was baltic today, in hindsight the terrace would have been a better option, a word on our midfield today too, I thought Menton and McEntee worked well together today particularly in second half. Expect both Reilly and O'Sullivan to start against Donegal where pace will be required, our best work was done when we ran at Tipp, direct running and attack are our best option I feel, Donegal will have a fair few inexperienced players again next weekend, domebif the big guns will still be missing, hit them hard and early with scores and that is a game we could take something from.

Replying To royaldunne: "Ok , was I the only one who thought that the penalty decision was crazy? In no way was ball touched on ground, and there was no foul in my eyes committed beforehand either. Now it didn't matter in end, but for me it wasn't a penalty. Maybe I missed something."

We conceded 1-5 from needless placed balls. Poor basic errors in front of our own goal.

It looked like it was touched on ground but after tipperary forward fouled Conor McGill. I was at opposite end of stand but if touch wad in small box then penalty correct decision.

We got away with another touch on ground in second half. Niall Kane did difficult task to avert goal but then touch ball on ground.

Replying To Richieq: "Yes the wind going through the stand was baltic today, in hindsight the terrace would have been a better option, a word on our midfield today too, I thought Menton and McEntee worked well together today particularly in second half. Expect both Reilly and O'Sullivan to start against Donegal where pace will be required, our best work was done when we ran at Tipp, direct running and attack are our best option I feel, Donegal will have a fair few inexperienced players again next weekend, domebif the big guns will still be missing, hit them hard and early with scores and that is a game we could take something from."

Decent opening to the league. Winning home games is vital in this division. A bit negative particularly in the first half playing with whatever advantage the wind gave us. At one stage we had all players inside our own 45. Far more positive in the second half, running hard at the Tipp defense played dividends. Our defenders for the most part were well organised, midfield did compete quite well and won their fair share of ball. Forwards were too far out in the first half and we didn't create a goal scoring chance which I believe we will struggle to do in most games and goals are vital. Plenty to work on but a positive start nonetheless

Replying To TakeYourPoints6: "Every one of those players have been asked in or involved at some stage, except maybe hanlon. Scully and Reilly were involved this year if you actually followed all the games"

Tell me the games now serious games reilly was involved James or Oisin and explain why Hanlon never involved even thou got award this year.

Replying To Crinigan: "Good shout on Lynch who definitely should be given a go as gk (as should the Blackhall gk).

Mattimoe is talented no doubt but how is his temperment? The others from Ballinlough I disagree that they should be on the panel. Scully from Oldcastle maybe but he's not a glaring omission like for example Larkin or McCarthy ( who presumably have turned down the chance)...

Generally I think McEntee has cast the net pretty wide and has the best available involved."

Replying To TakeYourPoints6: "Every one of those players have been asked in or involved at some stage, except maybe hanlon. Scully and Reilly were involved this year if you actually followed all the games"

Ok scully was given lip service but reilly OISIN reilly Kells senior was not in there.if he was I apologise Sean reilly yes moylagh tell me different.??

Replying To royaldunne: "Ok , was I the only one who thought that the penalty decision was crazy? In no way was ball touched on ground, and there was no foul in my eyes committed beforehand either. Now it didn't matter in end, but for me it wasn't a penalty. Maybe I missed something."

If the ball was touched on the ground its only a 13 meter free. As was judged to be the case in second half when That time Tipp butchered there goal chance and we where supposed to have touched the ball on ground. And I am not sure we did touch on there ground either. The penalty is on the Meath app if you want to check it Ethan Devine is supposed to have tripped. I looked at it, its harsh enough decision. In hindsight I am glad they got they got the penalty, it made a game of it.

Very positive result, the management and players should be rightly proud of their efforts. It's all about finishing with your strongest team so we can expect to see some established players being kept in reserve in future. It has the added bonus of giving some of the newer guys 40/50 minutes every week until they learn their trade. Sets us up nicely to have a crack at Donegal. Looks like some good work is being done on the defensive side and Newman being back is a great addition. We could really do with a free scoring forward but maybe one of the younger guys will step up as the year goes on.